A Message to Our Patients

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​As you have likely seen in media reports by now, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins has released a discussion paper that outlines the government's vision for transforming Ontario's health care system. The plan includes fundamental changes in the oversight and governance of home and community care.

The plan speaks to a single point of accountability for care at the regional level, making LHINs responsible for all health planning and performance. The responsibility for home and community care will move from CCACs to LHINs. With this change, LHINs would govern and manage the delivery of home and community care and CCAC boards would cease to exist. CCAC employees providing support to clients would be employed by LHINs and home and community care services would be provided by current service providers, including staff at CCACs and service provider organizations.

The paper also outlines an enhanced role for LHINs for improving timely access to primary care. LHINs would be responsible for planning and monitoring primary care services.​

While the full details are yet to be decided, the government will consult on the paper over the next few months. There has been no timeline announced as to when the transition would take place.

As we have done for two decades, we will continue to work with the government and other health care providers to deliver home and community care—through this transition and into the future. Minister Hoskins has been clear. CCAC care coordinators and care providers, as well as those who work with our service partners, will continue to play a vital role. The skills and experience we have as leaders and managers in the system will continue to be necessary and valued and will be essential to the success of a transformation of this magnitude. In addition to overseeing and providing care delivery, CCACs manage thousands of service arrangements and billing rates, as well as hundreds of millions of other transactions, including orders, confirmations, billings and payments. These functions will remain important.

We have long advocated for improvements in care for everyone, including more equitable care delivery. We are committed to ensuring our patients get the best care possible—especially as we work toward a more seamless, equitable and high-quality continuum of care.

I again want to thank all of the Erie St. Clair CCAC employees for their hard work and effort in taking care of more than 38,000 patients each year. I believe every single one of our employees deserves to hold their heads up high and feel confident in knowing they are true leaders in the delivery of home and community care.

Lastly, I want to reassure all of our patients and their families that our CCAC will continue to provide care and system navigation now and throughout the proposed transformation. Our CCAC continues to accept new referrals so please contact us if you are wondering what services or referrals we can offer.

Home and community care has a bright future and I wish you and your family all the best over the holiday season and in 2016.

Sincerely,

​
Lori Marshall

Chief Executive Officer, Erie St. Clair CCAC

Click here to read the ​Patients First discussion paper. You can also click here to provide feedback on the proposal before 5pm on Monday, February 29, 2016.​

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